Enclosure with progressively destructible seal

ABSTRACT

A receptacle serving for the storage of one or more dispensable substances has two wall portions interconnected along a barrier zone of more or less constant width by a destructible seal formed at least in part from an elongate member which is extensible in its longitudinal direction and adheres, directly or through an interposed bonding layer, to the two wall portions while extending over the full width of that zone. This extensible member, e.g. an elastic tape or an undulating filament, has an outwardly projecting extremity by which it may be gripped and subjected to a longitudinal pull gradually reaching the opposite end, or some intermediate clamping point, upon progressive detachment of the member from the wall portions bracketing it. With the receptacle in the form of a flexible envelope subdivided by the barrier zone into two compartments containing respective components of a hardenable mixture, a partial rupture of the seal allows the components to be intermixed within the envelope in the region of the resulting gap whereupon the envelope may be partly cut open for removal of the mixture, except for a residue left to reseal the envelope beyond the gap before further utilization.

United States Patent Grundschober et a].

[451 Aug. 1,1972

[54] ENCLOSURE WITH PROGRESSIVELY DESTRUCTIBLE SEAL [72] Inventors:Friedrich Gruntbchober, Onex/Geneva; Erhard Wychera, Carouge/Geneva;Jean Paul Carriere, Geneva, of Switggrland V [73] Assignee:Alrtiebolaget Stadex, Malmo,

Sweden [22] Filed: July 15, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 55,094

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 18, 1969 Switzerland..11010/69 [52] US. Cl ..206/47 A, 220/49, 229/51 S [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d81/32 [58] Field of Search...206/47 A, 52 W; 229/51 S, 66; 220/49 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,102,858 12/1937 Schlumbohm..229/51 S 2,293,952 8/1942 Stroop ..229/51 S 2,436,402 2/1948 Potter..206/52 W 2,885,104 5/1959 Greenspan ..206/47 A 2,932,385 4/1960Bollmeier et a] ..206/47 A 3,085,681 Fazzari ..206/47 A FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS 310,180 8/1933 Italy ..220/49 Primary Examiner-WilliamT. Dixson, Jr. Attorney-Karl F. Ross [57] ABSTRACT A receptacle servingfor the storage of one or more dispensable substances has two wallportions interconnected along a barrier zone of more or less constantwidth by a destructible seal formed at least in part from an elongatemember which is extensible in its longitudinal direction and adheres,directly or through an interposed bonding layer, to the two wallportions 7 while extending over the full width of that zone. This I of ahardenable mixture, a partial rupture of the seal allows the componentsto be intermixed within the envelope in the region of the resulting gapwhereupon the envelope may be partly cut open for removal of themixture, except for a residue left to reseal the envelope beyond the gapbefore further utilization.

13 Claim, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED M19 I972 SHEET 1 OF 5 FRIEDRICHGRUNDSCHOBER JEAN PAUL CARRIERE Inventors Attorney PATENTL-EDAUG' 1 1912I V 3.680.689

sum 2 or 5 FIG. 8

FRIEDRICH GRUNBSCHOBER ERHARD WYCHERA JEAE. PAUL CARRlERE Inventors b Iy mm! 6 Attorney PAIENTEIIMIB Hm 3.680.889

sum u 0F 5 46 FRlEDRl G1 (3 RUN DSCUOMISR ERIIARD WYCHERA J BAN PAULCARRIERE Inventors I S by 9m 6- Attorney PKTE N TEl l 1 I973 3.680.689

SHEET 5 OF 5 FIG. /5

FRIEDRICH GRUNDSCHOBER ERHARJD WYCHERA JEAN PAUL CARRIERE Inventors b ay mar (RD Attorney ENCLOSURE WITH PROGRESSIVELY DFSTRUCTIBLE SEAL Ourpresent invention relates to a receptacle provided with a destructibleseal for the storage of one or more substances in an airtight enclosureprior to their utilization.

Such receptacles may serve, for example, to protect foodstuffs fromcontamination before consumption or to seal in carbonated liquids;another specific field of use is the initial separation of two (or more)components of a hardenable mixture, e.g. a foam polymer or a protectivecoating, which must not come into contact with each other until justbefore the mixture is to be prepared for utilization.

The general object of our present invention is to provide an enclosureof this character whose seal, while strong enough to resist substantialstresses (e.g. pressure of evolving gases) during storage and handling,can be readily fractured by simple manipulation to give access to thesubstance or substances contained therein.

A more particular object is to provide a frangible seal originallyextending over an elongate barrier zone forming part of the boundary ofone or more compartments of such a receptacle, this seal beingprogressively rupturable along selected portions of its length to reducethe extent of the barrier for a repeated partial discharge of thecontents of such compartment or compartments.

A' further object, allied to the preceding one, is to provide animproved envelope for the storage of two reactive components, asdescribed above, in adjacent compartments separated by such a barrierwhereby, upon the formation of a gap in the barrier, measured quantitiesof the two components can be intermixed within the envelope itselfbefore the envelope is opened to dispense the mixture.

In accordance with this invention we provide a receptacle with two wallportions approaching each other along a barrier zone as defined above,the two wall portions being sealed to each other along that zone bymeans including an elongate member which is extensible in itslongitudinal direction and interposed between the two wall portions inadhering relationship therewith over the full width and at least part ofthe length of that zone. An outwardly projecting free extremity of theextensible member may be gripped by the user for exertion oflongitudinal tension thereon with consequent progressive elongation ofthis member and the creation of a lengthening gap between the two wallportions.

The extensible member may adhere to the adjoining wall portions eitherdirectly or with interposition of a suitable bonding agent. If themember is an elastic tape having the same width as the barrier zone, thebonding agent may take the form of a pair of adhesive layerssubstantially coextensive with that tape (except for its projectingextremity) between which the tape is sandwiched. If the extensiblemember is a filament substantially narrower than the barrier zone butundulating over the full width of that zone, the bonding agent mayoccupy the voids between the undulations or loops of the filament so asto form a continuous film in which the filament is irnbedded. Where theenvelope walls consist of thermoplastic material (e.g. polyethylene),the bonding agent may be part of the same thermoplastic materialextruded into these voids upon local heating of the envelope.

In every one of these instances the barrier consists of a frangible sealwhich can be progressively ruptured by a pull on the projectingextremity of the extensible member as the latter breaks contact with theadjoining wall portions, with gradual extension of the rupture andpropagation of the stress from the tensioned end to the opposite end. Ifthe barrier is firmly clamped at some intermediate point (e.g. betweenthe fingers of the user) through the flexible envelope walls, thespreading of the gap is stopped at that point so that the remainder ofthe barrier remains intact. In this manner, the seal may be destroyed insuccessive steps for the discharge of corresponding quantities of, say,a viscous substance from the space thus exposed.

This procedure is especially useful in the case of a compartmentedenvelope for the separate storage of two reactive components asheretofore discussed, with the barrier between the two compartmentsformed by intermediate sections of two substantially coextensiveflexible foils sealed to each other along their edges.

With an extremity of the extensible member projecting from a transverseedge of the envelope, an initial pull upon this extremity will place thetwo compartments in communication along part of the barrier zone next tothat edge so that the stored components come into contact with eachother and intermix in the region of the resulting gap. With the envelopestill substantially closed, the mixture so formed may be homogenized bymanual working or kneading through the flexible walls and may thereafterbe discharged by cutting the envelope open for severing the part of itcontaining the mixture. The envelope, or its remainder, may then berescaled inwardly of the gap, e.g. by external clamping with the aid ofclips or the like, particularly if no airtight closure is required atthis stage. With a selfhardening mixture, however, a residue of thatmixture may be left in place across the exposed ends of the compartmentsto rascal the envelope in a fluidtight manner whereupon the same stepsmay be repeated later on.

The above and other features of our invention will be described ingreater detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flexible envelope according to the invention,formed with two compartments for the isolated storage of two reactivecomponents;

FIG. 2 and 3 are fragmentary cross-sectional views drawn to a largerscale and taken on lines II II and III III, respectively, of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a modification;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but taken onthelineVVofFIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line VI VI of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, showingthe envelope in a state of partial destruction of the barrier betweenits compartments;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another envelope according to the invention,shown with its front wall removed;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a furtherreceptacle embodying the invention;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9, illustrating still another envelopeaccording to the invention;

line XII XII ofFIG. l1;

FIG. 13 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line XIII XIII ofFIG. 12; and

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views similar to FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively,showing the envelope in a state of partial rupture of its internalbarrier.

In FIGS, 1 3 we have shown a generally flat envelopeof rectangularoutline formed from two coextensive foils land 2 of thermoplasticmaterial, such as polyethylene, which are joined to each other alongtheir longitudinal and transverse borders by marginal heat seams 3, 4and 7, 8.

. The median portions m of the two foils l and2 approachieachother toform a barrier between two adjacent compartments a and b which arefilled with reactive components A and B of a hardenable mixture. Thebarrier'is sealed with theaid of an elastic tape 5, e.g. a

flatrubber band, sandwiched between two layers 6.1 and 6.2 of anadhesive substance (e.g. a vinyl-base cement)v bonding the tape 5 ontothe foils l and 2 over the full width of the barrier strip thus formed.The substances'A and B are. thereby. completely isolated from each otherand from the outer atmosphere.

. Substance A may be, for example, an epoxy resin while substance B is ahardener therefor such as an amine. ln another instance, where thedesired product is a sponge plastic such as foamed polyurethane,substance A may be a mixture of a polyol, a catalyst, silicone andwater'whereas substance B is an isocyanate which may have a foamingagent admixed therewith. Reference may be made, for example, to US. Pat.No. 2,982,396 for a variety of two-component compositions whoseconstituents may be so stored.

In operation, the extremity 5a of tape 5 projecting beyond thetransverse edge 7 of the package is gripped and pulled longitudinally,in the direction'of arrow F (FIG. 3), so that the tape stretches andprogressively detaches itself from the foils '1 and 2, with the bondinglayerstil and 6.2 adhering eithertov the foils or to the tape accordingto the relative affinities of the respective materials and theroughness, if any, of the contact surfaces. The initial rupture of theseal may be limited to a gap of length 0 by firmly clamping themidportions m of the foils between the fingers of the other hand to keepthe remainder of the barrier intact. As the seam 7 also remainspractically undisturbed at this stage, the part of the envelopeencompassing the gap 0 is still substantially sealed toward theatmosphere so as to form a chamber in which a fraction of the originalquantities of spreading onto a receiving surface or introduction into amold, by the simple expedient of cutting open the envelope 1, 2 anywherewithin the gap c, with automatic 1 rescaling of the compartments a and bby a residue of the mixture left standing across the envelope near theinner (right-hand, FIG. 3) end of the gap. Altematively, a temporaryclosure in the form of removable plugs 'or external clamps may be used.

In FIGS. 4 8 we have shown a similar envelope formed again from a pairof thermoplastic foils 11 and 12, e.g. of polyethylene, which approacheach other along their median zone m to form a longitudinal barrier, theedges of the foils being again thermally fused along longitudinal andtransverse seams 13, 14 and 15, 16. The barrier, here designated 17,consists of a bonding agent 18 having embedded therein a meanderingfilament or cord 19 whose undulations d, lying in a median planeparallel to the substantially flat foil portions of zone m, areseparated by voids penetrated by the mass 18. An extremity 19a of cord19, projecting from the envelope across the transverse edge 15 thereof,may be gripped and pulled in the direction of arrow F (FIG. 6) withresulting straightening of the looped filament and dislocation of theadhesive mass 18 so as to break the continuity of the bond between foils11 and 12, thereby forming a gap 18a (FIGS. 7, 8) through which a partof component A may migrate from compartment a into compartment b formixing with component B, or vice versa, under manual pressure exertedfrom without. As before, the unraveling of the loops d of filament 19may proceed in steps for the successive discharge of measured volumes ofcomponents A and B after intermixing thereof within the envelope 11, 12.Y

The loops d could also contact one another without spacing, in whichcase the mass 18 would form two separate layers on opposite sides ofmember 19 similar to the layers 6.1 and 6.2 of FIGS. 2 and 3. It is alsopossible to heat the foils l1 and 12 along the median strip m and toextrude part of the thermoplastic material thereof into the voidsbetweenthese loops for intimate bonding with the filament appliedadhesive.

' FIG. 9 shows at 35 one of two foils, similar to those described above,forming part of a flat bag or sachet initially heat-sealed along threeedges at 20, 21, 22 and at the'fourth edge by a barrier consisting of anundulating filament 24 irnbedded in an adhesive mass 23 which againcould be integral with the adjoining thermoplastic foils. One end 24a ofthe cord 24 is anchored to the bag within seam 21, its other end 24bprojecting from a corner thereof for unraveling by a pull exertedthereon as described in connection with the preceding embodiment. Itwill be apparent that a relatively small discharge opening, easilyresealable by the application of heat and/or pressure, could be formedin the side of the bag by pulling the projecting tip of end 24a, whereasthe entire side of the bag bounded by barrier 23, 24 may be opened by apull on extremity 24b. As before, the rupture of this barrier mayproceed in stages to give access to different parts of a solid or highlyviscous substance enclosed in the bag.

FIG. 10 shows an upwardly open receptacle in the form of a cylindricalbox or container 25 sealed by a dished lid 28 whose peripheral flange28a extends upwardly past an annular shoulder 27 in a rim portion 26 ofthe container wall, the rim and the flange thus defining an annularrecess sealed by a barrier 29 which again includes a meandering filamentor cord 31 imbedded in anadhesivemass30. Inthiscasethepeaksoftheundulations are slightly spaced from the upper and loweredgesoftherecesssothataremnantofthemasslm may remain between theperipheral cover flange 28a in lieu of a separately and the rim 26. Thisremnant, however, will be insuflicient to hold the lid in positionwithin the rim 26 after a pull on the projecting extremity 31a of cord31 has destroyed the seal along all or a substantial part of thecontainer periphery. Thus, the receptacle of FIG. could be used for thestorage of carbonated liquids whose gas pressure is contained as long asthe seal 29 remains intact.

in FIGS. 11 l5, finally, we have illustrated a modified envelope havingthe shape of a flask with a neck portion X, a generally trapezoidaltransition portion Y and an enlarged main portion or body Z. The twofoils 41, 42 constituting this envelope are marginally joined togetherat seams 43, 44, 45, 46, in the same manner as in the precedingembodiments, and are also interconnected along a median strip m forminga barrier between two compartments a and b for the individual storage ofreactive substances A and B. The barrier consists, as before, of anadhesive mass 47 and an imbedded cord 48 having an extremity 48aprojecting across the upper edge 45 of neck X. In this instance,however, the filament 48 terminates within the transition portion Y ofthe envelope so that the lower part of the barrier, consisting only ofthe mass 47, always remains intact.

The receptacle shown in FIGS. 11 15 may be used in the general mannerdescribed above, with partial rupture of the seal 47, 48 within neck Xby a pull on extremity 48a (arrow F FIG. 13) and a mixing of thecomponents A and B in that neck, e.g. by kneading from without or (inthe case of more fluid substances) by a simple inversion of the flask.The part of the neck containing the mixture may then be cut off, withresealing of the envelope below that level by the application of heatand/or pressure or by any of the other methods described above. If thesubstances A and B are of viscous character, they may be propelledtoward the top of the envelope by a squeezing or rolling of the lowerpart thereof, in the manner of a toothpaste tube, after a partialdischarge of the contents of the two compartments.

Naturally, the progressively rupturable barrier according to thisinvention need not be disposed along a median line m, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 8 and 11 15, but could be offset to one side or the other if theinteracting quantities of components A and B differ in volume. Also, twoor more barriers of this nature could be provided in a single envelopeif selective or concurrent mixing of more than two individually storedsubstances is desired. Finally, two filaments or tapes as hereindisclosed could occupy difi'erent sections of the same barrier,projecting from respective ends thereof to enable its partialdestruction from opposite edges of the envelope.

It will thus be seen that we have provided a frangible seal between twowall portions confronting each other with close spacing across afluidtight barrier zone occupied by an adhesive mass spread over theentire zone and by a longitudinally extensible elongate member extendingtransversely over substantially the full width of the zone, the adhesivemass bonding the two wall portions to each other either through theintermediary of the extensible element (FIGS. 1-3) or directly (FIGS.4-15). In the latter instance, the nonoverlapping loops or undulationsof the meandering filament 19, 24, 31,

48 establish definite limits up to which the seal may be delectivelydestroyed by proceeding in the aforedescribed manner.

We claim:

1. A receptacle for the storage of at least one dispensable substance,comprising enclosure means with two wall portions approaching each otheralong a fluidtight barrier zone forming part of the boundary of a closedcompartment filled with said substance, and seal means releasablyinterconnecting said wall portions along said zone; said seal meansincluding an elongate member extensible in its longitudinal directionand interposed between said wall portions in adhering relationshiptherewith while spanning substantially the full width over a substantialpart of the length of said zone, said member having a free extremityprojecting outwardly from said enclosure means for exertion oflongitudinal tension thereon with consequent progressive elongation ofsaid member and creation of a lengthening gap between said wallportions, and an adhesive mass spread over the entire barrier zone forbonding said wall portions to each other.

2. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein said member is an elastictape of a width substantially equal to that of said zone.

3. A receptacle as defined in claim 2 wherein said adhesive mass forms apair of layers disposed on opposite sides of said tape and substantiallyequal to that of said zone.

4. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein said member is a filamentsubstantially narrower than said zone wound in nonoverlappingundulations spanning said zone.

5. A receptacle as defined in claim 4 wherein said undulations arespaced apart, said adhesive mass filling the voids between saidundulations.

6. A receptacle as defined in claim 5 wherein said wall portions consistof thermoplastic material, said mass being parts of said wall portionspenetrating into said voids.

7. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein said enclosure meanscomprises a pair of substantially coextensive flexible foils sealed toeach other along their edges to form a closed envelope, said wallportions forming part of said foils.

8. A receptacle as defined in claim 7 wherein said wall portions areintermediate sections of said foils and wherein said zone is a stripdividing the interior of said envelope into two juxtaposed compartments,said extremity projecting from an edge of said envelope transverse tosaid strip.

9. A receptacle as defined in claim 8 wherein said compartments arefilled with respective reactive components of a hardenable mixture.

10. A receptacle as defined in claim 8 wherein said envelope has atapering outline with a reduced neck portion, said extremity projectingfrom an edge of said neck portion.

11. A receptacle as defined in claim 7 wherein said envelope isgenerally polygonal and said zone extends along an edge of the polygon,with said extremity projecting from a corner thereof.

12. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein said enclosure meanscomprises a container with a rim around an open top and a lid receivedin said open top,

7 saidwallportionsbeingpartofsaidrimandpartofa depending flange on saidlid paralleling said peripheral edge, said extremity projecting upwardlyfrom said container. v

l3. In a receptacle having at least one sealed cornpartrnent surroundedby a peripheral boundary between two substantially flat wall portions,the improvement wherein said boundary includes an elongate fluidtightbarrier zone along which said wall portiom closely approach each otherwith interposition of an adhesive mass spread over the entire zone forbonding said wall portions to each other, and a meandering fila-

1. A receptacle for the storage of at least one dispensable substance,comprising enclosure means with two wall portions approaching each otheralong a fluidtight barrier zone forming part of the boundary of a closedcompartment filled with said substance, and seal means releasablyinterconnecting said wall portions along said zone; said seal meansincluding an elongate member extensible in its longitudinal directionand interposed between said wall portions in adhering relationshiptherewith while spanning substantially the full width over a substantialpart of the length of said zone, said member having a free extremityprojecting outwardly from said enclosure means for exertion oflongitudinal tension thereon with consequent progressive elongation ofsaid member and creation of a lengthening gap between said wallportions, and an adhesive mass spread over the entire Barrier zone forbonding said wall portions to each other.
 2. A receptacle as defined inclaim 1 wherein said member is an elastic tape of a width substantiallyequal to that of said zone.
 3. A receptacle as defined in claim 2wherein said adhesive mass forms a pair of layers disposed on oppositesides of said tape and substantially equal to that of said zone.
 4. Areceptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein said member is a filamentsubstantially narrower than said zone wound in nonoverlappingundulations spanning said zone.
 5. A receptacle as defined in claim 4wherein said undulations are spaced apart, said adhesive mass fillingthe voids between said undulations.
 6. A receptacle as defined in claim5 wherein said wall portions consist of thermoplastic material, saidmass being parts of said wall portions penetrating into said voids.
 7. Areceptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein said enclosure means comprisesa pair of substantially coextensive flexible foils sealed to each otheralong their edges to form a closed envelope, said wall portions formingpart of said foils.
 8. A receptacle as defined in claim 7 wherein saidwall portions are intermediate sections of said foils and wherein saidzone is a strip dividing the interior of said envelope into twojuxtaposed compartments, said extremity projecting from an edge of saidenvelope transverse to said strip.
 9. A receptacle as defined in claim 8wherein said compartments are filled with respective reactive componentsof a hardenable mixture.
 10. A receptacle as defined in claim 8 whereinsaid envelope has a tapering outline with a reduced neck portion, saidextremity projecting from an edge of said neck portion.
 11. A receptacleas defined in claim 7 wherein said envelope is generally polygonal andsaid zone extends along an edge of the polygon, with said extremityprojecting from a corner thereof.
 12. A receptacle as defined in claim 1wherein said enclosure means comprises a container with a rim around anopen top and a lid received in said open top, said wall portions beingpart of said rim and part of a depending flange on said lid parallelingsaid peripheral edge, said extremity projecting upwardly from saidcontainer.
 13. In a receptacle having at least one sealed compartmentsurrounded by a peripheral boundary between two substantially flat wallportions, the improvement wherein said boundary includes an elongatefluidtight barrier zone along which said wall portions closely approacheach other with interposition of an adhesive mass spread over the entirezone for bonding said wall portions to each other, and a meanderingfilamentary element imbedded in said mass while projecting endwise fromsaid zone to enable exertion of a pulling force thereon, said elementbeing looped in a plane substantially parallel to said wall portions innonoverlapping undulations across substantially the full width of saidzone with penetration of said mass between the undulations thereofwhereby the exertion of said pulling force progressively separates saidwall portions upon the straightening of successive loops of said elementwith destruction of the intervening bond.